Winkler to the Giants

Effingham native Dan Winkler has been traded to the San Francisco Giants for former closer Mark Melancon.

The deal involving the former Atlanta Braves reliever was completed just before the major league baseball trading deadline at 3pm Wednesday.

Winkler was one of two Braves pitchers sent to the Giants.

The St. Anthony High School graduate was drafted by the Chicago Cubs out of Parkland College in Champaign in 2010 but didn't sign and instead headed to the University of Central Florida.

Winkler was drafted out of UCF by the Colorado Rockies in 2011 and began a meteoric rise through the Rockies organization before having to undergo Tommy John surgery. He bounced back and was acquired by the Braves, making his major league debut in 2015.

Winkler has dealt with other major injuries, but again rebounded to post good results for Atlanta before struggling this season, resulting in a return to the minors. The move to the Giants will hopefully also lead to a return to the majors for the 29-year-old Winkler.